Service tower base installation and protective barrier assembly therefor

ABSTRACT

A protective barrier assembly is especially adapted for service tower installations. A pair of pre-cast quasi-U-shaped shells, mate to form a vertically extending enclosure. A pair of caps bridges the shells. A retention rim of the caps extends around the periphery of the enclosure at the upper end. A post for the service tower projects through an opening in the caps. The shells are substantially identical reinforced concrete structures. The caps may also be identical.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/137,487 filed on Jul. 30, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to installations which employ numerous service towers for servicing tractor/trailers and large trucks by providing power, communications and other services. More particularly, this disclosure relates generally to installation methods and the support base structures for such service towers.

SUMMARY

Briefly stated, a protective barrier assembly comprises a pair of substantially identical, pre-cast, quasi-U-shaped shells. The shells are mated in end-to-end relationship to form a vertically extending enclosure with an upper end. A pair of caps covers the upper end. Each cap bridges the shells and cooperates to define a central opening. A cap retention rim extends about the periphery of the enclosure at the upper end of the shell. The caps are preferably substantially identical. Each of the caps has a plate and fasteners extend through the plate for securing together the caps.

The shells have a rectangular opening with a recess and upon mating the shells form a pair of access openings at opposite sides. An access cover covers the access openings. The shells are preferably formed from reinforced concrete wherein each shell is an integral one-piece structure comprising an extended wall, a rounded wall and a truncated wall. The rounded wall defines a notch and a carrier bar is anchored to the shell and extends across the notch. The extended wall is defined by a rectangular recess.

In one form, a service tower base installation comprises a mounting platform, a tower pole mounted to the platform and a protective barrier. The barrier comprises a pair of substantially identical pre-cast members which form an enclosure and surround the platform and extend above the platform. A cover bridges the pre-cast members and defines an opening through which the pole vertically projects. The opening defines a gap surrounding the pole. A bracket, which includes flanges, connects the bottom end of the pole. The flanges receive fasteners anchored to the mounting platform. The barrier assembly is a modular construction formed from two pairs of substantially identical members. The enclosure contains at least one electrical box for the service tower. The safety barrier has an access opening at opposed sides thereof. The cover is preferably formed from a pair of substantially identical cap members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a service tower base installation and a protective barrier assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the protective barrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a base shell for the barrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the base shell of FIG. 3A generally from a 90 degree rotated position thereof;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the base shell of FIG. 3A generally from the opposite view thereof;

FIG. 3D is an enlarged fragmentary view of the circled portion of the base shell of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a cap for the barrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of a cap for the barrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is an elevational view, partly in phantom and partly in diagram form, of the service tower base installation and pre-cast barrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a top plan view, partly in phantom and partly in diagram form, of the service tower base installation and pre-cast barrier assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partly in phantom of a mounting pier, base sub-structure and a base mounting structure, for the service tower base installation and barrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view, partly in phantom and partly annotated, of an installation stage for the service tower base installation and barrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly annotated, of the installation stage of FIG. 7 taken along the lines of 8-8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly annotated, of the installation stage of FIG. 7 taken along the lines of 9-9 thereof;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the installation stage of FIG. 7 taken along the lines of 10-10 thereof;

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view, partly in schematic, further illustrating an installation stage for the pre-cast barrier assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12A is a top plan view, partly in diagram form and partly annotated, of adjacent barrier assemblies and power conduits for a parallel parking installation;

FIG. 12B is a top plan view, partly in diagram form and partly annotated, of adjacent barrier assemblies and power conduits for an angled parking installation;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view and a corresponding elevational diagram, of a pre-paving conduit and service tower base layout for multiple service tower base installations and further illustrating the subsurface installation; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of a portion of a tractor/trailer in a near impact position with a representative installed service tower and barrier assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures, a barrier assembly designated generally by the numeral 10 is employed as a protective barrier and enclosure for mounting a service tower pole (partially illustrated) designated generally by the numeral 12. A service tower base installation 20 includes the barrier assembly 10, a support structure 14 for the utility pole 12 of the service tower and various utility line connections. The service tower base installation 20 is installed in an efficient manner to provide an installation of high structural integrity and efficient functionality. The service towers (not illustrated in detail) function to provide utility connections for tractor/trailer rigs during idle periods. The service towers (not fully illustrated) are typically located throughout large scale parking plazas at pre-established spacings D (FIGS. 11, 12A, 12B) which are typically defined by the standard spacing for parking tractor/trailer rigs in side-by-side relationship in a large service area.

A service tower mounting pier 18 is preferably constructed for each of the service tower poles at the pre-established pole spacing. The pier 18 is preferably constructed from concrete and has a lower cylindrical shape for anchoring below ground and an upper rectilinear box-like shape forming a mounting platform 28 which extends above a rectangular slab-like base 32. Four threaded studs 29 project from the upper end of the support platform 28 and are anchored therein. A trench 22 is formed for the communication and power lines which extend through conduits 24, 26 leading to locations adjacent the various service tower mounting piers. The trench 22 is then filled with concrete. A barrier assembly 10, principally of pre-cast form, is then installed above each mounting pier 18 and around and above support platform 28 and configured and positioned to provide for access to the utility lines.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the protective barrier assembly 10 has a modular construction principally comprised of substantially two identical base shells 30 and two identical caps 40. The barrier assembly 10 has a generally oval peripheral footprint at its lower support base 32 which is approximately two ft. by five ft. (FIG. 5B). The barrier assembly 10 presents a rugged vertical rounded enclosure approximately 52 ins. high formed by two substantially identical quasi-U-shaped shells 30, which are pushed together to mate at opposed abutting ends 31, 33 in end-to-end relationship (See FIGS. 2 and 11). Upon mating, the interior walls abut the sides of the concrete mounting platform 28. The shells 30 are preferably identical, pre-cast, reinforced concrete members which may have a thickness of approximately three inches.

With additional reference to FIG. 3A through 3D, each shell 30 is a one piece integral structure with an extended side wall 34, a rounded end wall 35 and a truncated wall 36. The truncated wall 36 has a rectangular access opening 38 with a peripheral recess 39 which upon mating of the shells mates with an aligned recess 37 at the edge of the extended wall 34. An access panel 41 is captured in the recess 37 and 39 to cover each access opening 38.

With reference to FIG. 3D, the lower portion of the rounded end wall 35 of the shell has a notch which is traversed by an anchored metal bar 43 to facilitate transport and installation of the shell.

A pair of substantially identical caps 40 cover the shells to form an enclosure 50 for the mounting support 14 and electrical lines and components. Each cap 40 bridges between opposing shells 30. The caps engage in mating relationship and form a substantially rectangular central opening 42 through which the service tower pole 12 may project. There is a clearance gap 48 between the edges of the opening 42 and the pole 12 to accommodate an impact displacement of the shells 30.

Each cap 40 preferably has a rectangular tie plate 44 which may be welded or otherwise attached at the cap underside. The plate 44 includes a pair of openings 45 which align with openings 47 of another identical cap 40. The aligned openings 45, 47 receive fasteners 49 for securing the caps together. The peripheral underside of the cap has an integral retaining rim or skirt 46 which engages the upper side portions of the shells. The caps 40 may be also formed from metal, or similar materials.

Conduits 24 and 26 project upwardly from the trench into the enclosure 50 for conveying the high voltage and low voltage lines which respectively connect with high and low power junction boxes 53 and 55.

The four pole mounting studs 29 which extend vertically from the top of the mounting platform 28 secure the pole 12. The service tower pole 12 is bolted at its bottom to a flange of a mounting bracket 62 which closely receives the lower end of the pole. It will be appreciated that the service tower pole 12 is mounted and supported independently of the service tower barrier assembly. A high voltage transformer 64 may be mounted in the enclosure. The high voltage junction box 53 and low voltage junction box 55 are disposed at an upper location of the enclosure 50 adjacent the underside of the caps 40.

It will be appreciated that the protective barrier assembly, provides an effective means for withstanding side impact due to tractor/trailers or other vehicles hitting against the side of the barriers. With reference to FIGS. 8-10, prior to installation, the ends of the conduits 24, 26 are fitted with a cap and the pier 18 may project a few inches above the surface of the ground. During the final paving for the installation, the grade of the paving is brought substantially flush with the top of the base 32 of the barrier assembly to further lock the barrier assembly in position.

The impact protection provided by the barrier assembly 10 and mounting support is illustrated in FIG. 14. A trailer 100 is shown adjacent the barrier assembly 10. If the wheels 102 or bed 104 engage against the side of the barrier, in many instances, the barrier will be sufficiently rigid and anchored to withstand any impact. It will also be appreciated that the peripheral skirt or rim 46 of the cap reinforces the upper edge of the safety barrier adjacent the proximate location of the truck bed 104. In the event that the side force against the safety barrier is sufficient to dislodge the barrier sidewise, the cap opening 42, in many instances, is sufficiently wide so that the barrier cap does not impinge against the service tower pole 12. Moreover, the caps 40 may deform against the pole 12 without jeopardizing the integrity of the tower pole installation.

It will also be appreciated that the electrical boxes 53 and 55 are located at a height above the ground and do not require access for service into a below-ground service hole. With reference to FIG. 13, the power to the tower is supplied through conduits 24 and 26 which are placed in the trench and form a loop connecting pattern. Upon filling the trench with concrete, the lines are fixed in position and may be capped for non-use until the rest of the base installation is installed.

While preferred embodiments have been set forth for purposes of description, the foregoing should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 

1. A protective barrier assembly comprising: a pair of substantially identical pre-cast quasi-U-shaped shells matable in end-to-end relationship to form a vertically extending enclosure with an upper end; and a pair of caps covering said upper end, each said cap bridging said shells and cooperating to define a central opening and a retention rim extending about the periphery of the enclosure at the upper end of said shells.
 2. The barrier assembly of claim 1, wherein said caps are substantially identical.
 3. The barrier assembly of claim 1, wherein said caps each have a plate and fasteners extend through the plate for securing together said caps.
 4. The barrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the shells have a rectangular opening with a recess, and upon mating said shells form a pair of access openings.
 5. The barrier assembly of claim 4 further comprising an access cover covering each said access opening and received in a said recess.
 6. The barrier assembly of claim 1, wherein the shells are formed from reinforced concrete.
 7. The barrier assembly of claim 1 wherein each shell is an integral one piece structure comprising an extended wall, a rounded wall and a truncated wall.
 8. The barrier assembly of claim 7 wherein said rounded wall defines a notch and carrier bar is anchored to said shell and extends across said notch.
 9. The barrier assembly of claim 7 wherein said extended wall is defined by a rectangular recess.
 10. A service tower base installation comprising: a mounting platform; a tower pole mounted to said platform; and a protective barrier comprising a pair of substantially identical pre-cast members forming an enclosure surrounding said platform and extending above said platform and having a cover bridging said pre-cast members and defining an opening through which said pole vertically projects.
 11. The base installation of claim 10 wherein said opening defines a gap surrounding said pole.
 12. The base installation of claim 10 further comprising a bracket having flanges and a connecting a bottom end of the pole, said flanges receiving fasteners anchored to the mounting platform.
 13. The base installation of claim 10 wherein the barrier is a modular construction formed from two pairs of substantially identical members.
 14. The base installation of claim 10 wherein said enclosure contains an electrical box.
 15. The base installation of claim 10 wherein said protective barrier has an access opening at opposed sides thereof.
 16. The base installation of claim 10 wherein each pre-cast member has a rounded end portion integrally connecting with an extended side and a truncated side parallel to said extended side. 